The comedy marks the final production for longtime director George Lauris

When the curtain closes on the final show of Linn-Benton Community College's production of "Lend Me A Tenor," it will mark more than just the end of the hilarious farce by writer Ken Ludwig.

George Lauris, who directed the comedy, has been an instructor at LBCC for 19 years. This school year, he has been in retirement but still working part time and directing.

"Lend Me A Tenor," a play he confessed he always wanted to direct, will be his last show.

The play opens at 7:30 tonight in the Russell Tripp Performance Center, Takena Hall, 6500 Pacific Blvd. S.W., in Albany.

Additional performances will be at 7:30 p.m. May 26, 31 and June 1 and 2; and at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 3.

Throughout his career, he has worked at the University of Northern Iowa, Lane Community College, the Oregon Repertory Theater but his longest stint has been teaching at LBCC.

"It's sort of a bitter-sweet feeling," he said about leaving. "I feel at age 64, it's time to wrap this career up."

Wrapping it up of course, means going out on a high note.

"Lend Me A Tenor" is a fast-paced, hilarious farce filled with slamming doors, misunderstandings, mistaken identities and sexual innuendo.

The play revolves around Tito Morelli, the world's most famous tenor. Morelli is to perform "Otello" at the season opener of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company.

Through a hilarious series of mishaps, Saunders, the opera company's general manager, and his assistant, Max, believe Morelli is dead.

Saunders persuades Max, an aspiring singer, to get into Morelli's "Otello" costume and fool the audience into thinking he is the opera singer. Max succeeds, but Morelli comes to and gets into his other costume.

Now two Otellos are running around in costume and two women are running around in lingerie, each thinking she is with Morelli.

"Lend Me A Tenor" is meant for an adult audience.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: "Lend Me A Tenor," a operatic comedy.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. May 25, 26 and 31, and June 1 and 2; and 3 p.m. June 3.

WHERE: Linn-Benton Community College, Russell Tripp Performance Center, Takena Hall, 6500 Pacific Blvd. S.W., Albany.

TICKETS: $9 for adults; $7 for students and seniors age 62 and older. Tickets are at the Russell Tripp Performance Center box office, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; two hours before performance; or by calling 917-4531.